I want to be a cop but I'm colorblind

[squid]

So...I've wanted to be a cop, in some capacity, since I was a kid. I finally bit the bullet and went to an LAPD orientation and found that colorblindness is a disqualifying factor. Like, you can't even get in to training if you're colorblind, so I can't do ANYTHING with LAPD. LA County was basically the same. The weird thing was, they wouldn't tell me what the test was--I had to find out from other LEOs. I can pass the basic tests from the DMV, but the Isihara test kills me.

The question is, are there any agencies that allow colorblind people into their ranks? Is there any LEO-related work I can do being colorblind, or am I just totally screwed?

Thanks

[mcsap]

No LEO agency that I am aware of will hire a color blind person. Sorry for the bad news.

[Star]

No LEO agency that I am aware of will hire a color blind person. Sorry for the bad news.

I agree with mcsap, unfortunately, unless you can get it corrected with glasses or something and I have heard of that too.

[mcsap]

Color blindness may have " saved my life". My dad wanted to be a pilot in WWII and he had all of the qualifications except he was colorblind and they turned him down. He was later drafted and ended up as a radio operator in England guiding crippled bombers back from missions over Europe.

Had he gone in when he originally, tried, the fighting he would have been involved in was particulalry casualty ridden.

I was reminded to add that there are other non-sworn positions within a PD that you could pursue, dispatch , corrections ( not all are considered LEO laterable) etc.

[Star]

Whitewolf made an awesome suggestion to me and I wanted to post it for you:

Star, you can tell the new guy in the Ask A Cop forum, that however he can work inside the LE department such as dispatcher or record bureau clerk, etc...instead of being a sworn officer. There is a lot of opportunity opening up for disabled and other odd problematic ppl like him who is color-blindness. Might be a good idea for him to try other positions instead of sworn officers.

I thought that was well worthy of posting for you. Good job, WW.

[steelcityk9cop]

My buddy is color blind and is a state trooper.....it didn't come up and he didn't tell.

[mcsap]

Mr Ishihara can be a tough bird to fool

[scott715us]

So...I've wanted to be a cop, in some capacity, since I was a kid. I finally bit the bullet and went to an LAPD orientation and found that colorblindness is a disqualifying factor. Like, you can't even get in to training if you're colorblind, so I can't do ANYTHING with LAPD. LA County was basically the same. The weird thing was, they wouldn't tell me what the test was--I had to find out from other LEOs. I can pass the basic tests from the DMV, but the Isihara test kills me.

The question is, are there any agencies that allow colorblind people into their ranks? Is there any LEO-related work I can do being colorblind, or am I just totally screwed?

Thanks

There is still hope. I have red/green colorblindness. My dept just required me to see the primary colors by looking at flags (red/blue/green/black/yellow). I obviously can't pass the Ishiara (color dot) test that some agencies require in the area, but I am an LEO now. The bigger depts (or civil service) usually require mandatory color vision, but you could look into the smaller ones. Good luck.

[Cat_Doc]

Wait just one stinking second here!

In this foo-foo, politically correct world we are suffering, aren't all cops now required to be color blind? :confused:



















<--------------ducking from incoming!

[squid]

My buddy is color blind and is a state trooper.....it didn't come up and he didn't tell.

What state?

[Group9]

I know one officer, in a very small department, who was hired despite being color blind. He is the only one I have ever met in over twenty years of law enforcement in a lot of different places.

[fatboyjim154]

Wait just one stinking second here!

In this foo-foo, politically correct world we are suffering, aren't all cops now required to be color blind? :confused:



















<--------------ducking from incoming!

Ya beat me to it! :D

[leo401]

Ya beat me to it! :D

Nice...!!! LOL

I can't remember anyone I have ever worked for testing me for color blindness. You may try some of the smaller towns, rural areas, chances are they may not even ask. Here in tennessee nonetheless, the state requirements simply state, that an officer must be in good mental and physical condition, be of good moral character and have a honorable discharge. Some departments apply for a waiver in certain cases of a misdemeanor conviction. A department may, however, add further requirements as they see fit ie. a degree or minimal number of college credits, or the way they might determine, physical or mental stability (mmpi2) or some other POST approved eval. The key is don't give up. Few of us ever get hired the first go around anyway. Some people it takes years.

[steelcityk9cop]

What state?

Pa.

[squid]

What about CHP? I'm not seeing colorblindness listed on the application or requirements pages anywhere. Does anyone know about the specific testing that they go through prior to hiring into the academy?

Thanks for the responses everyone.